CARY, N.C. — Washington is heading to the College Cup championship for the first time in program history after defeating #16 Furman 3-1 before 10,945 fans at WakeMed Soccer Park on Friday night. The Huskies will face #15 NC State on Sunday at 7 p.m. EST with a national title on the line.
Zach Ramsey broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute, capitalizing on Alex Hall's perfectly weighted through ball to beat Furman goalkeeper Ivan Horvat one-on-one. The goal came after sustained Washington pressure that saw Charlie Kosakoff and Asher Hestad force saves in the opening half-hour.
Just eight minutes later, Kosakoff doubled the advantage with an opportunistic finish following a Furman defensive miscue in the box. The junior forward pounced on the loose ball and finished clinically to give Washington a commanding 2-0 halftime lead.
Furman head coach Doug Allison made wholesale changes at the break, introducing five fresh players in an attempt to spark a comeback. The Paladins showed more urgency in the second half, with Grayson Travis and Braden Dunham creating chances that forced saves from Washington goalkeeper Jadon Bowton.
Washington sealed the victory in the 85th minute when Hestad unleashed a spectacular strike from just inside the top of the penalty area. Kosakoff turned provider this time, setting up Hestad for the insurance goal that appeared to put the match beyond Furman's reach.
The Paladins finally found the breakthrough two minutes later when Luke Hutzell produced the goal of the night. The defender met a deflected header without letting the ball touch the ground, timing his strike perfectly to volley past Bowton and cut the deficit to 3-1. Despite the late consolation, Furman couldn't generate another meaningful chance before the final whistle.
The statistics painted a picture of Washington's dominance. The Huskies outshot Furman 24-6 overall and 12-2 on target, forcing Horvat into nine saves while Bowton needed just one. Washington also held a 4-2 advantage in corner kicks and controlled possession throughout.
Harrison Bertos anchored Washington's defense from the back while Connor Lofy and Osato Enabulele helped limit Furman's attacking options. For the Paladins, Connor Stout and Ryan Wagner battled tirelessly in midfield, but couldn't stem Washington's creative flow through Hall and Kosakoff.
This marks Washington's second NCAA tournament appearance in five years, but their first trip to the championship match. The Huskies entered the tournament riding a five-game winning streak and have extended that run with victories in the Round of 16, quarterfinals, and now the semifinals.
Furman's season ends at the semifinal stage despite a spirited performance that saw multiple tactical adjustments. The Paladins made 11 substitutions throughout the match as Allison searched for the right combination to break down Washington's organized defense.
The championship matchup against NC State represents unfamiliar territory for Washington, which has never won a national title in men's soccer. The Wolfpack defeated Saint Louis 2-1 in the other semifinal to set up Sunday's final.
Key Players:
- Charlie Kosakoff (Washington) – Scored the crucial second goal and assisted on Hestad's insurance strike, constantly threatening Furman's backline with his pace and movement.
- Alex Hall (Washington) – Orchestrated the attack from midfield, providing the assist on Ramsey's opening goal and dictating Washington's offensive rhythm.
- Ivan Horvat (Furman) – Made nine saves to keep the scoreline respectable, including several difficult stops that prevented a more lopsided result.
- Luke Hutzell (Furman) – Scored a spectacular volley late in the match to give Furman hope, demonstrating his technical quality in a losing effort.